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Updated: May 13, 2026
05:41
Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
Published on: January 29, 2013
Microcirculatory changes in venous disease.
L C Huisman1, C den Bakker, C H A Wittens
1Department of Surgery, Flevoziekenhuis, Almere, Postbus 3005, 1300 EG Almere, The Netherlands. lhuisman@flevoziekenhuis.nl
Phlebology
|March 14, 2013
Summary
Laser speckle imaging shows potential for measuring microcirculatory blood flow in venous ulcers, but practical challenges like movement artifacts currently limit its use. Further research is needed to establish its diagnostic value in wound care.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Vascular Medicine
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Venous ulcers are chronic wounds often associated with impaired microcirculation.
- Accurate assessment of microcirculatory blood flow is crucial for effective wound management.
- Laser speckle imaging (LSI) is a non-invasive technique for visualizing blood flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using laser speckle imaging to measure microcirculatory blood flow changes in patients with venous leg ulcers.
- To assess the potential of LSI as a diagnostic tool in daily wound care practice.
Main Methods:
- Nine patients with leg ulcers were included in the study.
- Laser speckle imaging was performed in a sitting position.
- Venous hypertension was mimicked by inflating a blood pressure cuff to 60 mmHg around the legs.
Main Results:
- Measurements were inconclusive due to significant practical challenges.
- Movement artifacts and inadequate wound visualization interfered with data acquisition.
- The study could not reliably assess microcirculatory changes using LSI under the tested conditions.
Conclusions:
- The clinical utility of laser speckle imaging for routine venous ulcer care requires further investigation.
- Addressing practical limitations is essential for LSI to become a valuable diagnostic tool.
- Reliable microcirculation measurements in venous ulcers could potentially predict healing and recurrence.
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